With the start of hurricane season comes preparedness advice: have a plan, get your supplies ready, and know your evacuation zone. While the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season does not come until mid-September, the start of the season in June serves as a reminder to get ready. And while many are stocking up on a week or two’s worth of supplies now ahead of a tropical storm or hurricane threat, one company is making it possible to stock up once with food that can last for 25 years.
ReadyWise is a company based out of Salt Lake City, UT that serves simple and affordable ready-made food for emergency preparedness and outdoor use. The food is freeze dried and dehydrated making it ready to eat after just adding water. “We put the food in these really convenient Mylar pouches so they’re anywhere between two and a half to four servings depending on the packaging that you get,” said Brandon Ericksson, Vice President of Sales for ReadyWise. According to Ericksson, this makes the meals lightweight and convenient, something you would need during or just after a natural disaster. “You’re not dealing with these big bulky cans or big bags of food; you can conveniently open up the pouch, cook it for one to four people. Then move on to the next meal.”
The company offers a popular 72 hour kit. “These packages are designed for one person 1,800 calories a day for three days,” said Eriksson. It would cover 3 meals a day plus powdered milk. He says the advantage with these kits is that you would not have to buy them year after year. When stored properly, the kits will last 25 years thanks to the technology of the mylar packaging. ”This will really give you the peace of mind, knowing that in any type of emergency you have good comfort food that provides health and nutrition to your family.”
The company offers more than just food pouches. Another popular item is the “bug out bag”, which is a backpack filled with food and other essentials you might need when evacuating to a safer location. “You’re also going to have a variety of things that are needed: you have fire starters, a water filtration system, even a stove,” said Eriksson. Evacuation orders are not always given days in advance, sometimes it can be hours or even minutes ahead of an impending disaster. “It can be overwhelming: where do I start, what do I need, how do I feed my family?” Ericksson says all of those questions can easily be answered with one bag that you just grab and go.
ReadyWise offers a variety of meals and supplies through their website ReadyWise.com. Products are also offered through retailers like Walmart, BJ’s Wholesale Club, and Amazon.com. The food and emergency supplies make it a perfect fit for a hurricane kit, but can also be used in other emergencies or even just a casual day in the wilderness. “I have one kid that begs for me to bring the pasta Alfredo meal home and he’ll eat that right out of the pouch,” Eriksson said.
